EU Pavilion / Senat Haliti

From the architect. Designed for the ‘Culture for All’ competition, an EU-funded project managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by ARS Progetti SPA, Senat Haliti’s pavilion is a response to the need for an artwork that would transform a public space to revive it. By making a structure somebody could enter into, and be surrounded by, the project becomes an “EU HOME” for Kosovans, a space to give them the chance to ‘get in EU’ every day. More images and architects’ description after the break.

The EU Pavilion idea came from the last stats regarding Kosovans readiness to Join EU (72%). Pavilion is designed to be occupied, providing a quiet space for contemplation with the potential to encourage building trust amongst people of different communities.

It is comprised of three elements: ground, space and structure. Roots and heritage are represented by the traditional carped interpreted on the ground while our European aspirations are represented by the structure itself. Based on "EU barcode" (AMO/Rem Koolhaas, 2001) EU member's flags are layered and painted in recycled wood forming a house shaped space as most representative form of the “home”, a shelter for all. The color richness is about differences and diversity as it stands also for harmony and beauty. The contemplation space is created in between the roots and structure. A space where people can reflect about the past and future.

The recycled wooden frame forms a shaded space delimiting the boundary between the inside and outside of the structure. The base grounds the structure, and provides an informal seat. These fundamentals combined, create a bold, lively artwork, reflecting and answering to the vibrant energy that young Kosovans represent.